HodlX Guest Post Submit Your Post In 2024, DEXs (decentralized exchanges) snagged a greater portion of the crypto trading pie, demonstrating the future of finance is firmly headed toward decentralization. And Trump’s recent victory has only reinforced this trend, with Bitcoin’s price surging to nearly $91,000 . As monthly DEX trading volume soared above $250 billion in March and June 2024 for the first time since 2021, it’s clear that traders are increasingly opting for the benefits of autonomy and transparency these platforms offer. Over the past 12 months, several DEX platforms have refined their offerings to enhance the trading experience while prioritizing financial inclusivity and trust. This evolution indicates that the market is not just progressing – it has reached a level of maturity that some skeptics never anticipated. But these successes did not come without some hurdles. As 2025 approaches, 2024’s achievements and setbacks serve as a roadmap for where the market is heading. While no crystal ball can predict the future, one can assume that the steady shift from CEXs (centralized exchanges) to DEXs is just the beginning. DEX developments and challenges in 2024 This year, the DeFi (decentralized finance) landscape continued to grow significantly, particularly with the advancements in concentrated liquidity models. While these advancements enhance DeFi by providing greater capital efficiency and enabling users to concentrate liquidity in specific ranges, it’s no secret that this advancement was achieved at the expense of liquidity providers. On the governance front, 2024 saw the emergence of ‘DAO wars,’ where various DAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations) engaged in strategic maneuvers to assert dominance. These organizational rivalries add another layer of complexity to the DeFi ecosystem with DAOs fighting for control, leading to opportunities and risks for participants. As DAOs compete for influence, they have experimented with novel voting mechanisms, management strategies and community incentives to help attract and retain participants. This competitive environment has led to both innovation and volatility, with some DAOs forming alliances to strengthen their position, while others engage in aggressive tactics to undermine their rivals. In January 2024, a blockchain interoperability project launched a crypto bridge to allow a staked ETH token to move across multiple blockchains but did so without waiting for approval from the token’s governing body. This move sparked controversy, with critics accusing the project of overstepping its bounds and trying to lock in users ahead of its competitors. These challenges are especially significant because they expose the limitations and vulnerabilities of decentralized governance, specifically in areas like accountability and decision-making speed, further exposing cracks in the community. The rise of intent-based trading has also transformed the DeFi experience. These tools have invited users to implement sophisticated cross-chain strategies and facilitate wallet seeding, enhancing the overall multi-chain experience. This has streamlined functionality, allowing users to navigate DEX intricacies more efficiently without managing multiple networks. While we can’t know for sure what next year will bring, the past year can help guide DEX developers and users to anticipate what lies ahead. What to look out for in 2025 The rise of AI in trading strategies will likely enhance market dynamics, helping traders optimize their DEX performance. This integration has already taken off in the TradFi landscape, and as DeFi continues to see sustained growth, the technology’s inevitable integration will address challenges like limited liquidity, slippage and price manipulation. AI’s capabilities are certainly compelling. Its ability to predict price swings, identify arbitrage opportunities and mitigate risks will only improve with more data, making it a critical resource for DeFi and its participants. As DeFi protocols continue to evolve, its focus has shifted towards creating and utilizing aggregated assets to address long-standing liquidity and user experience issues. Aggregating liquidity from various sources similar to CEXs that accept deposits from different channels allows DEXs to offer more efficient trading experiences. For instance, protocols might allow users to deposit different stablecoins such as USDC into a unified liquidity pool, simplifying the user interface and expanding the trading pairs. This aggregation also improves the execution of the trades, reducing slippage and enhancing price discovery. However, as managing these complex assets becomes more difficult, so does the potential risk exposure across different types of assets. When multiple deposit types are integrated into a protocol, a single exploit in one of the bridges or smart contracts can ripple across the entire ecosystem. Ultimately, the vulnerabilities threaten a platform’s financial stability but also expose the ecosystem to larger systemic risks. Securing these aggregated assets will be one of the defining factors of growth and sustainability in 2025 and beyond. In regulation, up until now, the tax structuring for digital assets has been a poorly conceived policy, often resembling the taxation of unrealized gains in traditional markets. Under the Trump administration, the expectation is that taxes will be lowered and more nuanced in the US, leading to better relations between government agencies and decentralized organizations, and creating an environment that breeds opportunity and innovation rather than FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt). While many crypto builders and activists believe Trump will ‘make crypto great again,’ only time can tell if that will actually happen. While the future remains uncertain, the challenges of 2024 can serve as a roadmap for the advancement of DEXs as we enter the new year. While DEXs have their imperfections, their advantages far outweigh the drawbacks, positioning DeFi for a promising surge in the market . In the coming year, expect DEX developers to deepen their commitment to crafting a better user experience, focusing on building long-term solutions that support the ongoing goals of DeFi. Eric Waisanen is the CEO and founder of Astrovault . A graduate of University of California, Riverside, he is a seasoned expert in economic design and monetization strategies for emerging technologies, specializing in tokenomics and business development for Web 3.0 projects. Check Latest Headlines on HodlX Follow Us on Twitter Facebook Telegram Check out the Latest Industry Announcements Disclaimer: Opinions expressed at The Daily Hodl are not investment advice. Investors should do their due diligence before making any high-risk investments in Bitcoin, cryptocurrency or digital assets. Please be advised that your transfers and trades are at your own risk, and any loses you may incur are your responsibility. The Daily Hodl does not recommend the buying or selling of any cryptocurrencies or digital assets, nor is The Daily Hodl an investment advisor. Please note that The Daily Hodl participates in affiliate marketing. Generated Image: Midjourney The post No Middleman, No Problem? What 2025 Holds for Decentralized Exchanges appeared first on The Daily Hodl .
The post Ethereum Price Prediction: ETH to $20K? Whales Loading Up for a Massive Bull Run appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News Ethereum is struggling to maintain a level above $4k, even in a bull run, but where can Ethereum go? Coincodex has the Ethereum price prediction at quite bullish, but a $20k mark seems a ways off. This begs the question of whether Ethereum is a good investment or if there are alternatives like Lunex Network to set the market on fire. Ethereum (ETH): The Road To 20k? The market had a red week in the second week of December as investors took a well-deserved profit off the massive November gains. One of the tokens that underperformed was Ethereum. While Solana and Bitcoin – and a host of others – reached their ATHs during the November bull run, Ethereum maxed out at a hair over $4k, still almost $900 short of its ATH. The Ethereum price prediction is relatively bullish, and Coincodex predicts ETH will break the $4k mark by the new year. Is this enough, though? The Ethereum price prediction is said to max out this cycle at just under $7k in November next year before falling to about $4,700. But what about the mythical $20k mark for the Ethereum price prediction? Coincodex says that is a long time off. 2033, to be exact. That will mark a 5x return for Ethereum. The Bitcoin price prediction for the same timeline is over $700k for a 7x return. The Ethereum price prediction says it’s not a great investment. Lunex Network (LNEX): A Rising Star For The Next Bull Run The cryptocurrency market thrives on cycles, and during a bull run, savvy investors seek out opportunities with massive growth potential. While major tokens like Ethereum grab headlines, the real gains often lie with emerging platforms like Lunex Network . Lunex Network is a next-generation Web3 decentralized exchange offering users unparalleled ease of use, security, and scalability. Though utilizing non-custodial wallets, Lunex eliminates the need to keep tokens in exchange, which ensures complete user control over assets. Sporting over 50,000 trading pairs across multiple blockchains, it’s firing a warning shot across the bow of established exchanges like BNB and Uniswap: Lunex is coming! Unlike larger tokens that often plateau during bull runs, Lunex Network offers exponential growth potential. Its innovative technology, which combines on-chain and off-chain elements, ensures lightning-fast transactions while maintaining the decentralized integrity that crypto enthusiasts demand. Leveraging features such as a liquidity aggregator and a robust staking program, Lunex positions itself as the disrupting force in the DeFi and crypto exchange ecosystem. For investors looking to maximize returns, Lunex Network represents an opportunity to participate in a project designed for long-term scalability and user-focused innovation. While giants like Ethereum promise steady progress, Lunex could redefine expectations during the next bull run. Conclusion Investing in crypto can be highly lucrative, and the appeal to established tokens like Ethereum is undeniable. However, these big guns are not necessarily the best tokens to invest in, even in a bull run. The Ethereum price prediction is bullish, but it’s not bullish enough considering the growth potential of tokens like Lunex Network. Smaller undervalued tokens like Lunex Network can return 100x – even more – at the same time it would take Ethereum to make a mere doubling of value. It’s worth adding Lunex Network to a well-balanced crypto portfolio. Lunex Network is now available at $0.0046. You can find more information about Lunex Network (LNEX) here: Website: https://lunexnetwo r k.com Socials: https://linktr.ee/lunexnetwork
The post Solana Stars Pudgy Penguins ($PENGU) and Magic Eden ($ME) Lose Steam – Investors Believe This Could Be The Next Big Opportunity appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News Recent token launches on the Solana network, such as Pudgy Penguins and Magic Eden, have quickly lost momentum as investors turn away from projects offering little to no utility. This is why so many investors continue to allocate toward the huge disruption of the Rollblock ($RBLK) GambleFi presale, which experts predict will return 50x this year on the strength of its growing community casino platform. Rollblock ($RBLK) Momentum Already At Fever Pitch During Presale Rollblock ($RBLK) is an opportunity that doesn’t come along very often in crypto, as this blockchain-backed betting platform seeks to disrupt the $450 billion online gambling industry with its focus on trust and transparency. Rollblock offers a fully functioning Web3 casino that includes over 7000 games alongside a sports betting league that opens up the huge world of esports to Rollblock gamers. The Rollblock community is currently rallying around this recent update on the Rollblock Discord server, sharing wins and adding to the massive hype. Everything is fully encrypted onto the Ethereum blockchain, meaning that all transactions can be verified to ensure a transparent gaming experience. This gives players peace of mind and prevents the house from manipulating bets. The $RBLK token runs the entire ecosystem and rewards its holders with exclusive VIP benefits, free spins, and staking rewards with hassle-free yield of up to 30%. Regular buybacks from Rollblock will ensure a deflationary supply, as 60% of these purchases are burned while the remaining 40% is placed back in the hands of community stakers. This lucrative rewards scheme will mean that demand will far outstrip supply in 2025 and boost the price of $RBLK up to 50 times higher than its current level of $0.043. Pudgy Penguins ($PENGU) Airdrop Meets With Market Apathy The Pudgy Penguins token was recently launched as members of the Pudgy Penguins NFT community were airdropped large numbers of coins, along with crypto OGs from various chains, including Solana and Ethereum. The Pudgy Penguins NFT floor price rose steadily in anticipation of this airdrop but has since fallen by 40% as the Pedgy Penguins token has not rallied as expected. Pudgy Penguins is down by 26% to trade at $0.02. Nonetheless, analysts believe that Pudgy Penguins could take its place as a leading NFT token as it represents one of the most recognizable brands in crypto. Magic Eden ($ME) Quests Fail To Propel Token Price Magic Eden has also failed to follow its early promise, falling from $10 on its initial launch at the start of December to its current level of $2.85. Magic Eden offers NFT and crypto token trading and can be staked for up to 4 years, requiring holders to lock up Magic Eden tokens for a set time frame. Magic Eden holders can perform quests to earn more rewards, a unique feature that should send Magic Eden into the top 100 next year. Rollblock Ready To Rock The Gaming World This Year While Pudgy Penguins and Magic Eden have yet to gain real momentum, Rollblock ($RBLK) remains the best bet for many investors to scale in early to one of the most promising projects in all of crypto gaming. Stage 9 tokens are selling out rapidly, and the price looks set for a further hike to $0.052 as it progresses to the next stage in the coming days. Discover the Exciting Opportunities of the Rollblock (RBLK) Presale Today! Website: https://presale.rollblock.io/ Socials: https://linktr.ee/rollblockcasino
The cryptocurrency market has encountered significant volatility following the recent expiration of $2.63 billion in options for Bitcoin and Ethereum, catalyzing shifts in market dynamics. With traders rapidly adjusting their
Cryptocurrency prices today are showing bullish momentum, with Bitcoin (BTC) rebounding above $97K after touching a low of $92K. Major altcoins like Ethereum (ETH) and XRP also saw gains, reflecting positive market sentiment. Hyperliquid (HYPE) and Virtual Protocol (VIRTUAL) emerged as top gainers, each rising by 25% in the last 24 hours. Hyperliquid’s price surge follows Bitget’s announcement of listing its token on their exchange, while Virtual Protocol’s increase is attributed to the launch of their GAME SDK. The global crypto market has also risen, reaching $3.38 trillion, up by approximately 0.5% in the last 24 hours. Trading volume surged by 10%, hitting $301 billion, showcasing increased activity in the market. Cryptocurrency Prices Today: BTC Above $97K, ETH, XRP, SOL Gain Cryptocurrency prices today reflect a positive shift, with Bitcoin (BTC) trading above $97K and major altcoins like Ethereum (ETH), XRP, and Solana (SOL) posting gains. Meme coins, including Dogecoin and Shiba Inu, also showed signs of recovery after recent declines. Bitcoin Price Today Bitcoin (BTC) price was trading at $97,412, reflecting a 1% increase in the last 24 hours. Its 24-hour low and high were $92,210 and $98,136, respectively. The market cap stood at $1.93 trillion, with a trading volume of $100 billion, while BTC’s market dominance was recorded at 56.83%. According to SoSo Value , BTC ETFs experienced outflows of $204 million, marking the second consecutive day of outflows after a long period. Additionally, Ark & 21Shares reported outflows of $87 million, while Fidelity recorded $71 million in withdrawals. Data from BlackRock regarding BTC ETF activity is still awaited. In other news, Michael Saylor unveiled a mechanism demonstrating how the U.S. could generate $81 trillion by establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve . This proposal has sparked discussions on leveraging Bitcoin for national financial strategies. Ethereum Price Today Ethereum (ETH) price was trading at $3,466, reflecting a 1% increase in the last 24 hours. Its 24-hour low and high were $3,099 and $3,497, respectively. Cryptocurrency prices today highlight ETH’s market cap at $417 billion, with a trading volume of $62 billion and a market dominance of 12.32%. ETH ETFs saw an inflow of $28 million, with Fidelity purchasing $13 million worth of ETFs. Grayscale followed closely, buying $15 million in ETFs, while data from BlackRock is still awaited, which could influence cryptocurrency prices today. In other news, Donald Trump’s World Liberty Financial has reportedly accumulated more ETH during the recent price dip. This development underscores growing institutional interest in Ethereum despite market volatility. XRP Price Today XRP price was trading at $2.31, reflecting a 0.5% increase in the last 24 hours. Its 24-hour low and high were $1.97 and $2.338, respectively. Cryptocurrency prices today show XRP’s market cap at $130 billion, with a trading volume of $26 billion. It remains the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, with a market dominance of 3.86%. In other news, Ripple, the company behind XRP, has pledged $5 million in its native XRP token to support President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration . This move highlights Ripple’s strategic initiatives and its commitment to fostering global partnerships. Solana Price Today Solana (SOL) price was trading at $193, with a 24-hour low of $175 and a high of $197. Cryptocurrency prices today show SOL’s market cap at $92 billion and a trading volume of $9 billion in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, crypto analytics platform Glassnode reported significant capital movement across Solana assets, indicating heightened investor activity and interest in the Solana ecosystem. Meme Cryptocurrency Prices Today Meme coins have also followed the trend of major altcoins, with Dogecoin (DOGE) up by 1%, trading at $0.32. Similarly, Shiba Inu (SHIB) was also up by approximately 1%, trading at $0.00002259. Other top meme coins like PEPE, BONK, and WIF saw increases ranging from 2% to 9% in the last 24 hours, as cryptocurrency prices today show positive momentum in the meme coin market. Top Cryptocurrency Gainer Prices Today Hyperliquid Hyperliquid (HYPE) price surged by 25% in the last 24 hours, trading at $31.97. Its 24-hour low and high were $22.96 and $32.23, respectively. Cryptocurrency prices today highlight HYPE’s market cap at $8.69 billion, with a trading volume of $583 million. Virtual Protocol Virtual Protocol price also saw a 25% gain, trading at $2.734. Its 24-hour low and high were $2.03 and $2.842, respectively. The market cap stands at $2.73 billion. Ethena Ethena (ENA) price rose by 16%, trading at $1.16. Its 24-hour low and high were $0.85 and $1.224, respectively. In other news, Ethena Labs has partnered with Trump-backed WLFI to boost stablecoin liquidity and rewards by adding sUSDe as core collateral on Aave. Top Cryptocurrency Loser Prices Today Aptos (APT) Aptos (APT) price became the top loser for today, falling by 13% in the last 24 hours. It was trading at $10.23, with a 24-hour low and high of $9.90 and $11.77, respectively. The price drop is attributed to the resignation of Mo Shaikh, the co-founder and CEO of Aptos Labs , which has caused concerns within the community. Hedera Hedera (HBAR) became the second worst performer for today, with a 4% price drop, trading at $0.2688. Its 24-hour low and high were $0.23 and $0.28, respectively, with a market cap of $10 billion. In other news, the Hedera Foundation has announced Charles Adkins as its new CEO , effective January 1, 2025. Besides this, the hourly chart is showing a rebound in the crypto market after yesterday’s flash crash. Bitcoin (BTC) and major altcoins are showing positive momentum, indicating a recovery in cryptocurrency prices today. The post Cryptocurrency Prices Today Dec 21: BTC Hits $97K, HYPE and VIRTUAL Gain 25% appeared first on CoinGape .
Convertible bonds to fund bitcoin purchases have been lapped up by investors, but some fear impact if token falls sharply
Bitcoin and Ethereum face volatility after $2.63B options expiry, with prices below key levels.
The post SEC Accuses Tai Mo Shan of Misleading Terra Investors appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News Cryptocurrency can be a road for financial freedom for some however for others crypto scandals can be disruptive. The SEC has charged Tai Mo Shan Limited, a subsidiary of Jump Crypto Holdings LLC for misleading investors about Terra USD stability and selling unregistered securities. The story doesn’t just expose a company but raises questions about the broader crypto ecosystem. How did things go so wrong? Let’s dig in. The Truth Behind Terra Terra USD was supposed to be a stablecoin. As the name suggests, such a token should remain stable as it should be pegged to $1. Tai Mo Shan played a role in assuring investors it was safe, claiming Terraform Labs’ algorithm kept everything in check. But things weren’t as solid as they seemed. When UST lost its $1 peg in May 2021, Tai Mo Shan stepped in. They made $20 million worth of trades to stabilize the price, temporarily. Could they save it? No. Behind the scenes, the company had an agreement with Terraform Labs. They’d stabilize UST in exchange for discounted LUNA tokens. Investors weren’t told the truth. The peg wasn’t held by some magical algorithm but by external interventions. The SEC calls this misleading. Hard to argue with that. SEC Labels LUNA Sales as Securities Here’s where it gets messier. From January 2021 to May 2022, Tai Mo Shan acquired LUNA tokens from Terraform Labs. Then they resold them on U.S. based exchanges. The SEC sees LUNA and most of the crypto tokens as a security, as we all know. So, by acting as a statutory underwriter and failing to register these offerings, the company broke securities laws. Tai Mo Shan agreed to pay over $123 million in fines , prejudgment interest, and civil penalties. They’re also under a cease and desist order now. But an important thing to note here is that they didn’t admit to the charges. They’re not exactly waving a white flag, just agreeing to move on. What to Expect For the crypto world, Terra collapse was a wake up call. And the SEC is tightening the reins on crypto. Gary Gensler, who is stepping down in January as the SEC chair, shared that protecting investors from fraud is a top priority. This case shows how fragile the systems can be and how much investors rely on trust. Though the new administration is focusing on creating a nurturing environment for the digital space, cases like this highlights the need for strict regulations.
Santa Rides Shiba could turn early investors into multi-millionaires, like Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Dogecoin (DOGE) did. Santa Rides Shiba (SANTSHIB), a new Solana memecoin that was launched today, is set to explode over 19,000% in price in the coming days. This is because SANTSHIB is set to soon be listed on numerous crypto exchanges, according to reports. This will give the Solana memecoin exposure to millions of additional investors, who will pour funds into the coin and drive its price up. Currently, Santa Rides Shiba can only be purchased via Solana decentralized exchanges, like Jup.ag and Raydium.io, and early investors stand to make huge returns in the coming days. Early investors in SHIB and DOGE made astronomical returns, and Santa Rides Shiba could become the next viral memecoin. Santa Rides Shiba launched with over $9,000 of liquidity, giving it a unique advantage over the majority of other new memecoins, and early investors could make huge gains. How to Buy To buy Santa Rides Shiba on Raydium.io or Jup.ag ahead of the CEX listings, users need to connect their Solflare, MetaMask or Phantom wallet, and swap Solana for Santa Rides Shiba by entering its contract address – CxpeR8vdgeVWZFwBytS7PRrXHBwVgPJWZBJUcpK3k7vT – in the receiving field. If you don’t have one of these wallets already, you can create a new wallet in a few minutes and transfer some Solana to it (which will then be used to buy the memecoin), from an exchange like Coinbase, Binance and many others. In fact, early investors could make returns similar to those who invested in Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Dogecoin (DOGE) before these memecoins went viral and exploded in price. If this happens, a new wave of memecoin millionaires could be created in a matter of weeks – or potentially even sooner. The Solana memecoin craze continues amid larger memecoins, like Shiba Inu (SHIB), Dogecoin (DOGE) and DogWifHat (WIF) trading sideways in recent weeks and losing momentum. This is why many SHIB, DOGE and WIF investors are instead investing in new Solana memecoins, like SANTSHIB. Such memecoins have no utility and no inherent value, but investors looking for high gains have been investing in them due to their potential to rapidly rise in price.
The cryptocurrency market has endured a significant sell-off that saw its total market capitalization plunge by over $600 billion before it started recovering. In a sell-off that saw Bitcoin drip from a new high around $108,000 to a $92,000 low. The cryptocurrency has, however, since started recovering and despite still being down more than 6.8%